Troops foil Basilan bombing

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government security forces detonated on Saturday afternoon an improvised explosive device (IED) along a circumferential road outside Lamitan City in Basilan province, according to a police official.

Lamitan City police chief Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo said the explosive was discovered in Barangay Parangbasak about 3:30 p.m.

The Army’s 8th Scout Ranger Company (SRC) was immediately alerted to secure the area and prevent civilians and other vehicles from plying the route.

Gallardo said the IED was detonated after almost an hour by the 39th Explosive Ordnance and Disposal (EOD) team.

The police and military believe that members of the Abu Sayyaf group planted the bomb, placed in a half-gallon paint tin can and packed with shrapnel, to target passing military and police vehicles.

The IED could be triggered by a remote handheld radio device.

The discovery of the bomb prompted the police and military forces in Basilan to intensify road security measures to prevent terrorist groups from staging similar attacks.